 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Facebook/Gymnastics Association Of The Philippines) |
In keeping with the millennial vibe and beat, organizers have elevated the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships by producing a music video of the competition’s catchy and captivating official theme song “Going For Gold”. Performed by the popular KO Jones rock band with music and lyrics by band guitarist Warren Norton who is the son of Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion, the upbeat music video vividly captures what the elite meet for young gymnasts from all over the world is all about.
The song will be performed during the event's opening ceremony on November 20, 2025 at Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom inside Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. Carrion noted with pride of the vibrant theme song, “I asked my son Warren if he could come up with a theme song for the junior worlds. Without a second thought, he came up with it at once. As far I know this is the first time that an international FIG competition has had a theme song and music video, to boot, setting ours a cut above the rest.” Now available to the public on the GAP Facebook account, the nearly three-minute music video soars at once with the attention-getting intro “Fly like a champion, uh…oh oohh, Fly uh oh oooh…” The bouncy and lively opening is spliced with scenes of Paris Olympic double gold medalist and newly-crowned world vault champion Carlos Edriel Yulo in action in various successful international forays that gave pride and glory to the country. The inspirational opening verse – “Welcome to the world stage, Lights are burning bright, Young hearts rising, Ready for the fight, 80 flags are flying, Gold is on the line, Flip flying landing, This is your time” – captures the aspirations and ideals of those who will be vying in the meet. This prime motivation for the young gymnasts to shine continues in the chorus with lyrics they can identify with: “Fly like a bird and let it go, Spin through the sky, feel the freedom flow, Gold, silver bronze let the story unfold, At the Junior World’s, they’re going for gold!”
More scenes featuring young Filipino gymnasts either training or performing their routines, all fuelled by their dreams of gymnastics greatness, is underscored by the second verse:
“Here in the Philippines, We open the door, with warm smiles and hearts, Who could ask for more
Train hard, leap strong, dreams in control
No fear in the fight, just follow your soul.”
The music rises to a climactic crescendo – “From bars to the beam . From vault to the floor, They give it their all, then give even more!!!” – and winds up with the chorus twice that will most likely get etched in the ears and thoughts of fans and participants alike long after the competition ends. “When we said that we would like our fans and participants alike to have a unique and unforgettable experience at the junior worlds, this uplifting music video featuring the theme song is one of them. so we encourage everyone to join us and we will have a fun and enjoyable time,” said Carrion.
The 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships hosted by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is supported by the Office of the President, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation with the Manila Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Manila, Hilton Manila, Belmont Manila, Hotel Okura, Savoy Hotel and Hilton Express as official hotel partners, Philippine Airlines as official carrier, St. Luke’s Hospital the official medical services partner and the Department of Tourism, Milo and Pocari Sweat as major sponsors.
